New Nova spotted 14 Aug

[jmorgan]

Mentioned on Universe today
http://www.universetoday.com/104103/bright-new-nov...
http://www.astronomynow.com/news/n1308/15nova/

From my house in wales about SE at 22:30. Sods law, Welsh weather will stop me

[marksx]

If it clears, the scope is out!

[jmorgan]

Heavens opened up. Nothing new. See what happens tonight.

[Eric Mc]

I don't think it's that bright so unless you are a real guru when it comes to the night sky, you may not notice it.

[jmorgan]

According to the link, it is a bino or scope job at the moment but they are saying they do not know if it winks out or will get brighter.

Don't have to look.

[Eric Mc]

The moon will not help over the next week either.

Novas are usually associated with stars in binary star systems - with one pulling material off its companion.

[jmorgan]

Forgot to check the moon on starry night seeing as there is no seeing here with the clouds. Thought I might get a chance though. Not seen one yet.

[Eric Mc]

I peeked out the window last night and noticed that the moon was approaching first quarter. Over the next week or so it will be rising higher in the sky and getting bigger - and brighter.

So new faint stars are going to be difficult to spot - even if you knew exactly what you were looking for.

[marksx]

Clearly visible through my 10x50s.

[jmorgan]

Damn. Hazy overcast after a crystal clear day That and I was pegged out after a long day.

[Willy Nilly]

Did it have big wheels and a noisy zorst?

[Eric Mc]

marksx said:

Clearly visible through my 10x50s.

I presume you are familiar with that patch of the sky. Unless it really was "sod off amazingly bright", I don't suppose most of us would know we were looking at it.

Is its getting brighter or dimmer at the moment?

[marksx]

I haven't been able to see it since due to the weather so can't answer that.

As for familiar with that patch of sky, not really, but it's easy to find following the charts given in the OP. Especially the black on white.

This isn't my image, but is a very good likeness of what I saw through the binos:

[marksx]

The more I think about it now, the more annoyed I get at not being able to see it develop! Lousy weather.

[Eric Mc]

Which one is it?

[marksx]

The brightest one in the middle.

[Eric Mc]

Thanks.

Was the star visible before it went nova and do we know what type of star it was?

I understand that "novae" are usually part of a binary pair where one star is dragging material off the other and the star doing the attracting suffers a surface layer fusion of the attracted matter - which cases the star to flare up dramatically.

[marksx]

Eric Mc said:

Thanks.

Was the star visible before it went nova and do we know what type of star it was?

I don't know for sure but I believe not. Not sure what type of star it was.


[quote]

I understand that "novae" are usually part of a binary pair where one star is dragging material off the other and the star doing the attracting suffers a surface layer fusion of the attracted matter - which cases the star to flare up dramatically.

This is how I understand it too.

[Mojocvh]

marksx said:

The brightest one in the middle.

Had a go on Sunday night, had the 100X25's out, but as has been stated, you need a good reference point to work it out...

[jmorgan]

Still waiting for a good weather break. Wispy clouds again.

Oh well. Another will probably be along in a minute.....